Intelligence and Security Operations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Ministry of National Defense

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components had over 50,000 agent assets down to the village level. CDV fifth
column assets contributed greatly to the disintegration of ARVN forces during
the 1975 “Great Spring Victory” PAVN offensive.
Background and Development
The origins of the CDV can be traced back to the period following Ho Chi
Minh's establishment on 19 May 1941 of the Vietnam Independence League
(Viet-Nam Doc-Lap Dong~Minh Hoi/Viet Minh). V0 Nguyen Giap, currently
the SRV Minister of National Defense and a VCP Politburo member, was
tasked with making preparations for an armed insurrection‘ and the
development of guerrilla bases for Hoi Chi Minh’s Indochinese Communist
Party'(ICP). Giap proceeded to create a covert intelligence apparatus by
converting his guerrilla units into armed propaganda units. Through the use of
selected terrorism, Giap's armed propaganda apparatus forced other
Vietnamese nationalist and ethnic minority groups to join the -Viet Minh in
providing logistical support and in collecting tactical military intelligence on
Japanese and Vichy French forces. It was from Giap's clandestine apparatus
that the future Vietnamese military intelligence, enemy military proselytizing,
and military security services took root and expanded.
On 22 December 1944, Ho Chi Minh signed an official directive which
established the “Armed Propaganda Brigade for the Liberation of Vietnam"
under the command of Giap. Formed by Giap with a core of 34 elite cadres,
the Armed Propaganda Brigade engaged in proselytizing and intelligence
collection activities. In April 1945, an ICP Politiburo conference resulted in
the consolidation of guerrilla forces into a Vietnamese Liberation Army under
the command of Giap. The Vietnamese Liberation Army was then organized
into staffs. Van Tien Dung headed the political staff which included
subordinate military security (bao ve) and enemy proselytizing (dich van)
sections. On 2 September 1945, Ho Chi Minh announced the establishment of
the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV).
On 22 March 1946, DRV Decrees No. 33 and 71 officially established the
People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). Decree No. 71 formalized the PAVN staff
organization and authorized the organization of a political officer system in
PAVN. The PAVN Political Staff, headed by Van Tien Dung, became the
highest organ in PAVN for ensuring party control. Its Civilian Proselytizing
(Dan Van), Enemy Proselytizing (Dich Van) and Military Security (Bao Ve
Ouan Doi) Sections ensured the coordination of military intelligence with
party objectives‘ and the internal security of the armed forces. Close
coordination existed between these PAVN Political Staff components, the
PAVN General Staff Military Intelligence Department (Cuc Ouan Bao), and
the civilian DRV Directorate General for Public Security (Tong Nha Cong
An/TNCA).
The French Resistance War: I946 to 1954
When hostilities between the DRV and the French came to a head on 19
December 1946, Giap's'PAVN attacked French garrisons throughout Vietnam
and the DRV Government withdrew from Hanoi to Viet Bac Province to set
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